Since the early 2000's, renewable energy has become an increasingly important topic in society. The Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, is no exception to this trend. In fact, it has recently announced its plans to install solar panels on top of its iconic five-sided building.
The decision was made as part of the department's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and increase its use of clean energy sources. The Pentagon is one of 31 government sites that are receiving $104 million in Energy Department grants that are expected to double the amount of carbon-free electricity at federal facilities and create 27 megawatts of clean-energy capacity while leveraging more than $361 million in private investment, the Energy Department said.
The Pentagon is implementing a range of enhancements, including solar panels, to decrease its dependence on natural gas and fuel oil combustion systems. Additionally, a heat pump system and solar thermal panels will be installed. This grant program extends to Naval bases in Georgia and Washington state, along with the Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Tennessee, where energy upgrades will also be carried out.
The Interior and Veterans Affairs departments, along with the General Services Administration, Office of Personnel Management, and Social Security Administration, are among the other agencies chosen for these projects. The projects align with Biden’s 2021 executive order that called for a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from federal operations by 2030 and a net-zero building portfolio by 2045.
Along with rooftop solar installations on federal property, the United States Department of the Interior is also promoting the installation of renewable energy on public lands to further the nation's clean energy goals. Public property owners (rooftop & land) can list their property for lease for renewable energy for free on LandGate's marketplace for exposure to an exclusive network of trusted renewable energy developers.
